“We were absolutely thrilled to achieve such a great price for the Escort, and for it to be an auction record is even more exciting,” Tim Schofield, head of motoring at Bonhams, said.

“With its links to the Alan Mann team and the Ford factory, it was not surprising that it was a popular lot on the day. We feel that the price it achieved reflects its significance in the motoring world.”

The Escort was used as a spare car for the 1968 championship and was driven on occasion by future Le Mans winner and F1 driver Jackie Oliver.

It was later shipped to the Caribbean where it remained until 2010 when it returned to the UK.

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